Flat pack reed relays

ABSTRACT

An electromagnetic reed relay of polarized and magnetic latching configurations adapted for low profile packaging, having at least one electromagnet, at least one permanent magnet the polarity of which is uneffected by the electromagnet and at least one reed switch magnetically coupled together by a pair of pole pieces.

United States Patent 1 91 Richert 51 Jan. 16, 1973 1 1 FLAT PACK REEDRELAYS 3,211,857 l0/l965 Warrington ..335 153 x [75] Inventor: Walter J.Rlchert Princeton Ind. 2.902.558 9/]959 Peck, Jr ..335/l52 Assignee? AMFIncorporated Primary Examiner-Roy N. Envall, Jr. 22 Filed: Feb. 2 9Attorney-George W. Price and Charles J. Worth [21] 'Appl. No.: 802,34957 ABSTRACT An electromagnetic reed relay of polarized and mag- [52] US.Cl ..335/153 netic latching configurations adapted for 10w profile [51]y "Holh 51/22 packaging, having at least one electromagnet, at leastFleld of Search t one permanent magnet the p y of is unef fected by theelectromagnet and at least one reed [56] References cued switchmagnetically coupled together by a pair of pole UNITED STATES PATENTS P3,002,067 9/1961 Baldwin, Jr. et al ..335/153 9 Claims, 11 DrawingFigures H45 /4 \F A PATENTEDJAH 16 I975 SHEET 1 OF 2 INVENTOR. WALTER J.HERT BY Q FIG.3

III/ll F|G.l

AGENT PATENTEUJAH 16 1975 3.71 l. 798

SHEET 2 [1F 2 2/ 45 FA /6 I/FZ FIG-9 WIT Tm l N I INVENTOR.

WALTER J. RI E'RT m AGENT FLAT PACK REED RELAYS This invention relatesgenerally to reed relays and more particularly to polarized and magneticlatching types of multi-switch reed relays adapted for low profile orflat pack packaging.

While relays which have one or more reed switches and electromagnetswitch actuation are generally old, however, difficulty has here-to-forebeen encountered in providing such reed relays in low profile or flatpack packages. It might be noted that such encountered difficultyincreases with additional relay parts.

A relay with multiple reed switches made in accordance with the presentinvention is particularly adapted for low profile or flat pack packagingand further includes a permanent magnet magnetically coupled to the reedcontacts of the switches and the polarity of which is uneffected byenergization of the electromagnet coil.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a relaywith a plurality of reed switches which is particularly adapted for lowprofile or flat pack packaging.

Another object of the present invention is to provide the foregoingrelay with all of its component parts disposed substantially in a singlemean plane.

And another object of the present invention is to provide the foregoingrelay having a permanent magnet means magnetically coupled across theswitches and the polarity of which is uneffected by energization of theelectromagnet coil.

And still another object of the present invention is to provide theforegoing relay with the electromagnet core which, when theelectromagnet coil is de-energized after energization, providessufficient magnetic remanence which together with the permanent magnetflux causes latching.

The present invention contemplates an electromagnetic reed relay adaptedfor low profile packaging, comprising a pair of pole piece means ofmagnetic material; permanent magnet means having poles coupled tocorresponding ends of the pair of the pole piece means; electromagnetmeans adjacent the permanent magnet means, having at least one coremeans connected at its ends to the pair of pole piece means therebyestablishing a first flux path short circuiting the permanent magnetmeans in absence of opposing electromagnetic flux, and a coil meanswrapped on and polarizing the core means when energized therebyproviding electromagnetic flux opposing the flux provided by thepermanent magnet means to the first flux path and establishing a secondpath for the total flux provided to operate switch means; switch meansincluding a plurality of reed switches supported by corresponding endsof the pair of pole piece means opposite from the permanent magnetmeans; and each of the switches having at least two contact conductorsmagnetically coupled to the permanent magnet and electromagnet means bythe pair of pole piece means and operable by the flux provided to thesecond flux path.

The foregoing and other objects and advantages will appear more fullyhereinafter from a consideration of the detailed description whichfollows, taken together with the accompanying drawings wherein severalembodiments of the invention are illustrated by way of example. It is tobe expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for illustrationpurposes only and are not to be construed as defining the limits of theinvention.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a relay in accordance with the presentinvention,

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken of line 2-2 of FIG. 1'

FIGS. 3 and 4 are plan and end elevational views, respectively, of therelay of FIG. 1 prior to encapsulation,

FIGS. 5 and 6 are fragmentary perspective views illustrating other formsof pole piece/permanent magnet arrangements,

FIGS. 7 and 8 are diagrammatic views of a polarized and a latchingrelay, respectively, in accordance with the construction shown in FIGS.1 to 4,

FIGS. 9 to 11 are diagrammatic views each illustrating a differentmodified relay in accordance with the present invention.

Referring now to the drawings and particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2, a novelrelay 10 made in accordance with the present invention may be enclosedin a fabricated low profile case (not shown), or preferably isencapsulated or potted in the usual plastic material 11. The resultingpackage is a cubiform in which the length and width each substantiallyexceeds the height thereby providing what is presently known as a flatpack or low profile component.

To electrically connect the relay 10 into a circuit, two series ofspaced terminals 12 and 13 preferably are provided which extendlaterally from opposite ends or sides of the encapsulation and which maybe bent degrees in the usual manner to facilitate a plug-in typeconnection to a printed circuit board. The number of terminals 12 and 13to .be used is determined by the number of circuit connections to bemade. It should be realized that the terminals 12 and l3 are a matter ofchoice and, alternatively, the wire terminals of the reed switches andcoil leads can be provided with sufficient length to make the requiredelectrical connections.

Considering also FIGS. 3 and 4, the relay 10 is provided with aelectromagnet 14 having a core 15 of magnetic material within a windingor coil 16. The free ends 17 and 18 of the winding 16, which may be arelocated, as shown, at opposite ends of the core 15, are connected to oneof each of the terminals 12 and 13, respectively, as shown in FIG. 2.

A permanent magnet core means 19 is connected at its ends or poles tocorresponding ends of a pair of parallel spaced pole piece means 23 and24 thereby forming a U-shaped magnetic structure. The core means 19 maybe provided by a permanent magnet, a magnetic material embodying apermanent magnet member, or any other suitable composite construction.The electromagnet 14 is positioned substantially parallel to thepennanent magnet means 19 with the ends of the core 15 thereof eachconnected to a different pole piece means 23 and 24.

Each of the pole piece means 23 and 24 may be provided by a pair ofplates of magnetic material as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4 or, alternatively,a U-shaped member (not shown) with openings through the bight thereof asmay be required to pass conductors and coil ends. With this type ofconstruction, the poles of the permanent magnet means 19 are at its endswhich are connected to the pole piece means 23 and 24.

A modified pole piece/permanent magnet means is shown in part in FIG.wherein a pole piece means 25, corresponding to the pole piece 23, isprovided by a pair of plates 26 and 27' which are connected to oppositesides of one end of the core 15. One of the plates which, in thisinstance, is plate 26 may terminate as shown at the core 15. The plate27 extends past the core 15-.and terminates with an elongated end flange28. The flange 28 is disposed in a plane parallel to and offset from theplane of the plate 27 and extends toward a second pole piece means (notshown), corresponding to the pole piece means 24, which has acorresponding end flange 29 (shown in part) disposed in the same planeand is spaced from the flange 28. The planar offset of the flanges 28and 29 provides a recess or pocket for the permanent magnet 19 which isconnected to the flanges.

Still another modified pole piece/permanent magnet means is shown inpart in FIG. 6 wherein a pole piece means 30, corresponding to the polepiece 23, is provided by a, pair of plates 31 and 32 which are connectedto opposite sides of one end of the core 15. One of the plates which, inthis instance, is plate 31 terminates at the core 15. The plate 32extends past the core 15 and terminates with an elongated end flange 33.The flange 33 is disposed in a plane normal to the plane of the plate 32and extends toward a second pole piece means (not shown), correspondingto the pole piece means 24, which has a corresponding end flange 34(shown in part) disposed in a plane spaced between the electromagnet l4and the plane of the flange 33. The flanges 33 and 34 lap one anotherand are connected to opposite sides or poles of a permanent magnet 35disposed in the space therebetween.

Accordingly, the core 15 of the electromagnet 14 provides a flux pathsubstantially parallel to the flux path of the permanent magnet 19, ofFIG. 3, and substantially. normal to the flux path of the permanentmagnet 35 of FIG. 5. It should be noted, however, the ends of the fluxpaths thus provided, in eachinstance, are suitably connected to form aclosed loop.

Referring again to FIGS. 1 to 4, the relay is provided with a pluralityof reed switches 20 disposed in spaced parallel series on the side ofthe electromagnet l4 opposite from the permanent magnet 19. Althoughfour reed switches 20 are shown and described herein, the number of suchswitches is not to be construed as defining the limits of the presentinvention and may be changed in accordance with requirements of theenvironment of a particular relay. Each of the reed switches 20 isprovided with the usual tubular case closed at its ends and at least apair of reed contact members 21 and 22 each extending from a differentend of the case and conductively connected to one of each of theterminals 12 and 13, respectively. The tubular cases of the switches 20are supported at their ends with the reed members 21 and 22 magneticallycoupled to and conductively insulated from the pole piece means 23 and24, respectively. It should be obvious to one skilled in the art that byproper selection of switch contact material and flux orientation,switches 20 could be normally open or normally closed switches or of thetype which breaks one connection and makes another. To facilitatedisclosure of the present invention, the reed switches 20 are consideredas being normally open switches.

Referring to FIG. 7, it will be seen that the relay 10 includes theelectromagnet 14 which when energized provides flux in a predetermineddirection, the permanent magnet 19 which provides a constant flux in apredetermined direction, and two flux paths F l and F2 which are shownwith arrowheads indicating the direction of the flux. The state ofenergization of the coil 16, in effect, alternately establishes the fluxpaths F1 and F2 both of which include the core 15 of the electromagnet14 and the permanent magnet 19. It should be understood either flux pathF1 (considered as the reset flux path) or flux path F2 (considered asthe set flux path) will be established or predominant. Although in manyinstances there may be some flux in either of the flux paths whicheveris not established, for practical purposes and to facilitate thedescription of the present invention such flux will not be considered.

The reset flux path F1 is a closed loop provided by the non-polarizedcore 16, the permanent magnet 19 and the intervening portions of thepole pieces 23 and 24. The flux path F1 is established only when thecoil 16 is de-energized and the direction of flux at the core 15 isopposite to the direction of the flux at the permanent magnet 19. Theset flux path F2 is considered as having two parallel paths at one endprovided by the polarized core 16 and the permanent magnet 19, aplurality of parallel paths 'at the other end provided by the reedswitches 21), and pole piece means 23 and 24 which magnetically couplethe parallel paths at the two ends together to form a magnetic loop.

More specifically, when the relay 10 is in the reset condition with thecoil 16 of the electromagnet 14 deenergized, the reset flux path F1 isestablished as a closed loop or low reluctance path in which theelectromagnet core 15 short circuits or shunts the permanent magnet 19.Therefore, in the absence of operating flux across the reed switches 20the relay 10 remains in the reset condition and the switch contacts 21and 22 remain open. The flux path F2, which includes the reed switches20, has a high or maximum reluctance state when the contacts 21 and 22of the reed switches are open and a low or minimum reluctance state whenthe switch contacts are closed. However, the reluctance of the flux pathF2 alwaysexceeds the reluctance of path F 1. Upon energization of thecoil 16, the core 15 is polarized and the electromagnet 14 develops fluxwhich opposes or bucks the flux provided to the closed loop flux path Fl by the permanent magnet 19. Accordingly, the closed loop flux path Flonly appears as a high reluctance flux path and therefore, the flux pathF2 is established. Thus, the total or combined flux provided by theelectromagnet 14 and the permanent magnet 19 provides a working fluxacross the reed switches 20 sufficient to pull in or cause the contacts21 and 22 thereof to close thereby closing the working air gap of theset flux path F2 which is considered as being the air gaps between theopen contacts of all of the switches 20. The relay 10 now is in its setor operated condition with the switches 20 closed or conducting, and theflux p'ath F2 is in its low or minimum reluctance state and will remainso until the coil 16 is de-energized.

Upon de-energizat'ion of the coil 16, no electromagnetic flux isavailable to the relay 10. The core 15 therefore, again provides a lowerreluctance path which shunts or short circuits the permanent magnet 19to re-establish the flux path Fl. The flux path F2, now being ofrelatively higher reluctance than path Fll, becomes insufficient to keepthe contacts 21 and 22 of the switches 20 closed and, consequently theyreopen. Accordingly, the relay it) returns to its unoperated or resetcondition.

The polarized relay can be modified to provide a latching relay 40, asshown in FIG. 8, which includes the permanent magnet 19, the reedswitches 20 with their contacts 21 and 22, and the pole piece means 23and 24. Instead of the electromagnet 14, an electromagnet 41 is providedhaving a core 42 and a coil 44. However, in this instance, the core 42has remanence characteristics which in the drawings is diagrammaticallyshown as being provided by the center portion 43 disposed between twocore end portions of magnetic material. It should be understood that thecomposite core construction 4243 is merely to diagrammaticallydifferentiate, shown in simplest fonn, between the core of magneticmaterial and the remanent core 42, and is not to be construed asdefining the limits of the present invention. The core 42 may be of anysuitable remanent material, a permanent magnet, or a composite structureof any suitable construction with a permanent magnet or remanentmaterial portion of any suitable configuration.

Considering the relay 40 first in the absence of remanence of the core42, its operation would be similar to the operation of the relay 10.Accordingly, the reset flux path Fl would be established when the coil44 is de-energized and core 42 short circuits or shunts the permanentmagnet 19, and the set flux path F2 would be established when the coil44 is energized and the combined flux provided by the permanent magnet19 and the polarized core 42 is applied across the working air gap orthe total air gap between the open contacts 21 and 22 of all of theswitches 20.

While the polarity of the permanent magnet 19 is not effected byenergization of the coil 16 of relay 10 or the coil 44 of relay 40,energization and the direction of energization of the coil 44 determinesthe degree and orientation of polarization of the remanent core ormagnet 42. It should be realized that the coil 44 may have a singlemulti-turn winding which is reversely connectable to a source of currentor may have two multiturn winding each, when energized, polarizing thecore 42 oppositely to the polarization resulting from energization ofthe other coil.

Now considering the relay 40 as actually shown in FIG. 8 with the core42 having remanence, when the coil 44 is sufficiently and directionallyenergized to operate or set the relay 40, the remanent core 42 ispolarized and electromagnetic flux is produced which opposes or bucksthe flux provided by the permanent magnet 19 to the reset flux path F 1.The resulting electromagnetic flux, while coil 44 is energized, is inthe same direction as and combines with the flux by the permanent magnet19 to provide a working flux. The total or working flux, as provided,establishes the set flux path, F2, and is sufficient and properlyoriented across the working air gap to pull in or cause the contacts 21and 22 of the switches to close.

In a relay with magnetic latch characteristics, such as relay 40 of FIG.8, the set flux path F2 is also the magnetic latch flux path as will nowbe discussed. When the coil 44 is de-energized, the totalelectromagnetic flux is no longer available. However, because of itsremanence characteristics, the remanent core 42 provides sufficientremanent flux to continue to successfully block the flux provided by thepermanent magnet E5 to the reset flux path F l. The blocking effect ofthe remanent flux causes the reset flux path F1 to appear to have ahigher reluctance than the set flux path F2 with the contacts 21 and 22of the switches 20 closed. The resulting permanent magnet flux andremanent flux provided by the magnet 19 and core 42, respectively, tothe set flux path F2 combine to form a latching flux sufficient tomaintain the flux path established and to keep the contacts 21 and 22 ofthe switches 20 closed thereby effecting magnetic latching of the relay40.

To reset or cause the latched relay 40 to reassume its unoperated state,the coil 44 reversely energized by reverse current or a oppositely woundcoil to reduce or reverse the polarityof the remanent core 42 so thatupon de-energization of the coil 44 the resulting flux is insufficientto maintain the flux path F2 established or core magnet providesinsufficient remanent flux or flux sufficient flux provided by thepermanent magnet 19 is shunted opposite to its initial direction whenthe relay 40 was by the reset flux path F1. The reset flux path F1 is,initially set. Therefore, re-established and the closed contacts of theswitches 20 reopen. The relay 40 is again in its reset condition.

When a relay as described above includes a relatively large number ofreed switches, it has been found to be advantageous to divide theswitches into two sets and locate the various flux sources between thesets. In this way, none of the reed switches will be excessively remotefrom the flux sources.

Three modified relays 45, 50 and 55 as shown in FIGS. 9 to M areprovided to illustrate relays with two sets of switches 24! inaccordance with the present invention. Again, the number of switches 20of each switch set is an arbitrarily chosen quantity and is not to beconstrued as defining the limits of the present invention. It alsoshould be understood that each of the relays 45, 50 and 55 may be eitherof a polarized configuration as relay 10 or of a magnetic latchingconfiguration as relay 40 depending upon the electromagnet corematerial. To facilitate disclosure relays 45, 50 and 55 will bediscussed only as polarized relays.

As shown in FIG. 9, the modified relay 45 has two sets of reed switches20 each set being disposed at one end of a pair of pole piece means 46and 47 corresponding to the pole piece means 23 and 24 of the relay 10.The electromagnet 14 and permanent magnet 19, disposed between the twosets of reed switches 20, are magnetically coupled at their ends to thepole piece means 46 and 47.

When the coil 16 of the electromagnet 14 is deenergized, the core 15short circuits or shunts the permanent magnet 19 and the reset flux pathF1 which is the established is similar to the reset flux path PI ofrelay 10. When the coil 16 is energized, the set flux path F2 isestablished which now has two loops both including the core 15 and thepermanent magnet 19 while each includes, a different set of switches 20.In the relay 45, the electromagnet and the permanent magnet 19 are eachcloser to a different one of the sets of switches 20 than the other.Although the unequal spacing of the flux sources from the differentswitch sets has been found normally to have little effect upon relayoperation, such 1 spacing differences can be eliminated as taught by therelays 50 and 55 each of which is a modification of the relay 45.

Referring now to FIG. 10, the relay 50 again includes two sets of reedswitches 20 retained, as previously described, between correspondingends of the pole piece means 46 and 47. In this instance, the permanentmagnet 19 is disposed between two electromagnets 14 which replace thesingle electromagnet of the relay 45 and have their coils 16conductively connected in series.

When the coils 16 are de-energized, both of the cores short circuit orshunt the permanent magnet 19 thereby establishing the reset flux path Fl which, in this instance, is a double loop with a common leg formed bythe permanent magnet. When the coils 16 are energized, both cores 15 arepolarized in the same direction thereby establishing the double loop setflux path F2 (not shown) which is similar to the flux path F2 of therelay 45 except for the additional core 15 which also is common to bothloops.

Alternatively, as in the relay 55 of FIG. 11 the electromagnet 14 isdisposed between two permanent magnets or permanent magnet means 19which replace the single permanent magnet or permanent magnet means ofthe relay 45.'When the coil 16 is de-energized the core 15 shortcircuits or shunts both permanent magnets 19 thereby establishing thedouble loop reset flux path Fl as in the relay 50. However, in the relay55 the leg common to both loops is the shunt or core 15.

When the coil 16 is energized thereby establishing the double loop setflux path F2 of relay 55 which corresponds to the set flux path P2 ofthe relay 45 or 50,

except that there are the two permanent magnets 19 and the singlecore 15which are common to both loops in this instance.

Although but several embodiments of the invention have been illustratedand described in detail, it is to be expressly u nderstood that theinvention is not limited thereto. Various changes may also be made inthe design and arrangement of the parts without departing from thespirit and scope of the invention as the same will now be understood bythose skilled in the art.

' What is claimed is:

l; In an electromagnetic reed relay adapted for low profile packaging, acombination comprising a pair of magnetic material means each spacedfrom I the other,

permanent magnet means magnetically coupled to said pair of magneticmaterial means and constantly providing flux in a predetermineddirection,

' said permanent magnet means being a permanent magnet with its poles atits ends which are each magnetically coupled to a different one of saidpair of magnetic material means,

electromagnet means magnetically coupled to said pair of magneticmaterial means and short circuiting said permanent magnet means in theabsence of flux opposing the shunting of the permanent magnet flux bythe short circuit,

said electromagnet means when energized providing flux in the samedirection as said permanent magnet means and which is sufficient tooppose the shunting of the permanent magnet flux,

said electromagnetic means comprising a pair of electromagnets eachbeing disposed between said permanent magnet and a different one of saidsets of switches,

each of said electromagnets having a coil and a core of magneticmaterial extending through said coil substantially parallel to saidpermanent magnet,

said cores each being magnetically coupled at each end to a differentone of said pair of magnetic material means, i

said coils being adapted for energization thereby polarizing said coresand providing flux substantially parallel to and in the same directionas theflux provided by said permanent magnet,

magnetically operable switch means including two sets of switches eachbeing disposed at a different end of said pair of magnetic materialmeans, and said permanent magnet and electromagnet means being disposedbetween said two sets of switches,

each of said sets of switches including at least one reed switch with atleast two reed contact conductors magnetically coupled each to adifferent one of said pair of magnetic material means, and

each of said reed switches being unoperated when said permanent magnetmeans is shortcircuited, and operated by the total flux provided by saidpermanent .magnet and electromagnet means when the flux provided by saidelectromagnet means opposes the shunting of the flux provided by saidpermanent magnet means.

2. The electromagnetic relay in accordance with claim 1, and said coilsbeing connected for simultaneous energization.

3. In an electromagnetic reed relay adapted for low profile packaging, acombination comprising a pair of magnetic material means each spacedfrom the other, i permanent magnet means magnetically coupled to saidpair of magnetic material means andconstantly providing flux in apredetermined direction,

said permanent magnet means being a pair of permanent magnets each withits poles at its ends which are each magnetically coupled to a differentone of said pair of magnetic material means,

electromagnet means magnetically coupled to said pair of magneticmaterial means and short circuiting said permanent magnet means in theabsence of flux opposing the shunting of the permanent magnet flux bythe short circuit,

said electromagnet means when energized providing.

flux in the same direction'as said permanent magnet means and which issufficient to oppose the shunting of the permanent magnet flux,

said electromagnetic means being disposed between said pair of permanentmagnets and comprising a coil and a core of magnetic material extendingthrough said coil substantially parallel to said permanent magnet,

said core being magnetically coupled at each end to a different one ofsaid pair of magnetic material means,

said coil being adapted for energization thereby polarizing said coreand providing flux substantially parallel to and in the same directionas the flux provided by said permanent magnets,

magnetically operable switch means including two sets of switches eachbeing disposed at a different end of said pair of magnetic materialmeans, and said permanent magnet and electromagnet means being disposedbetween said two sets of switches,

each of said sets of switches including at least one reed switch with atleast two reed contact conductors magnetically coupled each to adifferent one of said pair of magnetic material means, and

each of said reed switches being unoperated when said permanent magnetmeans is short circuited, and operated by the total flux provided bysaid permanent magnet and electromagnet means when the flux provided bysaid electromagnet means opposes the shunting of the flux provided bysaid permanent magnet means.

4. in an electromagnetic reed relay adapted for low profile packaging, acombination comprising a pair of magnetic material means each spacedfrom the other,

permanent magnet means magnetically coupled to said pair of magneticmaterial means and constantly providing flux in a predetermineddirection,

said permanent magnet means being a permanent magnet with its poles atits ends which are each magnetically coupled to a different one of saidpair of magnetic material means,

electromagnet means magnetically coupled to said pair of magneticmaterial means and short circuit ing said permanent magnet means in theabsence of flux opposing the shunting of the permanent magnet flux bythe short circuit,

said electromagnet means when energized providing flux in the samedirection as said permanent magnet means and which is sufficient tooppose the shunting of the permanent magnet flux,

said electromagnetic means comprising a pair of electromagnets eachbeing disposed between said permanent magnet and a different one of saidsets of'switches,

each of said electromagnets having coil means and a core of magneticmaterial with remanent characteristics extending through said coil meanssubstantially parallel to said permanent magnet,

said cores each being magnetically coupled at each end to a differentone of said pair of magnetic material means,

said coil means being adapted for energization thereby polarizing saidcores and providing flux substantially parallel to and in the samedirection as the ,flux provided by said permanent magnet, and forreverse energization therebyreversing their polarizing effectv when saidcores are providing remanent flux,

magnetically operable switch means including at least one reed switchwith at least two reed contact conductors magnetically coupled each to adifferent one of said pair of magnetic material means,

each of said reed switches being unoperated when said permanent magnetmeans is short circuited, and operated by the total flux provided bysaid permanent magnet and electromagnet means when the flux provided bysaid electromagnet means opposes the shunting of the flux provided bysaid permanent magnet means,

said electromagnetic means upon deenergization when said switches areoperated providing a remanent flux sufficient to oppose the shunting ofthe permanent magnet flux and with the permanent magnet flux tomagnetically latch said operated switches, and being adapted for reverseenergization to at least sufficiently reduce the remanent flux and uponde-energization to short circuit the permanent magnet means and permitsaid switches to again become unoperated,

said switch means having two sets of switches each including at leastone of said reed switches and being disposed at a different end of saidpair of magnetic material means, and

said permanent magnet and electromagnet means being disposed betweensaid two sets of switches.

5. in an electromagnetic reed relay adapted for low profile packaging, acombination comprising a pair of magnetic material means each spacedfrom the other,

permanent magnet means magnetically coupled to said pair of magneticmaterial means and constantly providing flux in a predetermineddirection,

said permanent magnet means being a pair of permanent magnets each withits poles at its ends whichare each magnetically coupled to a differentone of said pair of magnetic material means,

electromagnet means magnetically coupled to said pair of magneticmaterial means and short circuiting said permanent magnet means in theabsence of flux opposing the shunting of the permanent magnet flux bythe short circuit,

said electromagnet means when energized providing flux in the samedirection as said permanent magnet means and which is sufficient tooppose the shunting of the permanent magnet flux,

said electromagnetic means being disposed between said pair of permanentmagnets and comprising coil means and a core of magnetic material withremanent characteristics extending through said coil means substantiallyparallel to said permanent magnets,

said core being magnetically coupled at each end to a different one ofsaid pair of magnetic material means,

said coil means being adapted for energization thereby polarizing saidcore and providing flux substantially parallel to and in the samedirection as the flux provided by said permanent magnets, and forreverse energization thereby reversing its polarizing effect when saidcore is providing remanent flux,

magnetically operable switch means including at least one reed switchwith'at least two reed contact conductors magnetically coupled each to adifferent one of said pair of magnetic material means,

each of said reed switches being unoperated when said permanent magnetmeans is short circuited, and operated by the total flux provided bysaid permanent magnet and electromagnet means when the flux provided bysaid electromagnet means opposes the shunting of the flux provided bysaid permanent magnet means, said electromagnetic means upondeenergization when said switches are operated providing a remanent fluxsufficient to oppose the shunting of the permanent magnet flux and withthe permanent magnet flux to magnetically latch said operated switches,and being adapted for reverse energization to at least sufficientlyreduce the remanent flux and upon de-energization to short circuit thepermanent magnet means and permit said switches to again becomeunoperated, said switch means having two sets of switches each includingat least one of said reed switches and being disposed at a different endof said pair of magnetic material means, and said permanent magnet andelectromagnet means being disposed between said two sets of switches. 6.in an electromagnetic reed relay adapted for low profile packaging, acombination comprising a pair of pole pieces of magnetic material eachbeing parallel ,to and spaced from the other thereby forming a gaptherebetween, at least one permanent magnet disposed across the 7 gapand having its ends providing opposite poles magnetically coupled tosaid pole pieces and flux across the gap in a predetermined direction,at least one electromagnet disposed across the gap, and having coilmeans and a core of magnetic material extending through said coil meansparallel to said permanent magnet and being magnetically coupled at itsends to said pole pieces, said permanent magnet, core and pole piecesproviding a-first flux path wherein said core shunts flux provided bysaid permanent magnet in the absence of flux opposing such shunting,said coil being adapted for energization thereby polarizing said core toprovide flux across the gap in the same direction as and opposing theshunting of the permanent magnet flux, a plurality of magneticallyoperable reed switches disposed parallel to and spaced from each otheracross the gap and being unoperated when the permanent magnet flux isbeing shunted, each of said reed switches having at least two reedcontact conductors each magnetically coupled to a different one of saidpole pieces, said permanent magnet and said core providing with saidpole pieces coupled to said switches a second flux path forpermanentmagnet and electromagnet flux to operate said switches when the shuntingof the permanent magnet flux is opposed, said electromagnet beingdisposed adjacent one of said switch I sets, and another electromagnetdisposed between said spaced switch setsand adjacent the other of saidswitch sets, said permanent magnet being disposed between said twoelectromagnets, and said plurality of reed switches being disposed intwo sets parallel to and spaced from said permanent magnet andelectromagnets each at a different end of said pair of pole pieces, andwith said pole pieces all being disposed in a single common plane. 7.The relay in accordance with claim 6, and

said cores of said two electromagnets having remanent characteristicsand providing remanent flux blocking the shunting of the permanentmagnet flux for magnetically latching said switches when said coil meansof said two electromagnet's are de-energized while said switches areoperated, and

said coil means of said two electromagnetsbeing adapted for reverseenergization for causing said latched switches to become unoperated.

8. ln an electromagnetic reed relay adapted for low profile packaging, acombination comprising a pair of pole pieces of magnetic material eachbeing parallel to and spaced from the other thereby forming a gaptherebetween,

at least one permanent magnet disposed across the gap and having itsends providing opposite poles magnetically coupled to said pole piecesand flux across the gap in a predetermined direction,

at least one electromagnet disposed across the gap, and having coilmeans and a core of magnetic material extending through said coil meansparallel to said permanent magnet and being magnetically coupled at itsends to said pole pieces,

said permanent magnet, core and pole pieces providing a first flux pathwherein said core shunts flux provided by said permanent magnet in theabsence of flux opposing such shunting,

said coil being adapted for energization thereby polarizing said core toprovide flux across the gap in the same direction as and opposing theshunting of the permanent magnet flux,

a plurality of magnetically operable reed switches disposed parallel toand spaced from each other across the gap and being unoperated when thepermanent magnet flux is being shunted,

each of said reed switches having at least two reed contact conductorseach magnetically coupled to a different one of said pole pieces,

said permanent magnet and said core providing with said pole piecescoupled to said switches a second flux path for permanent magnet andelectromagnet flux to operate said switches when the shunting of thepermanent magnet flux is opposed,

said permanent magnet being disposed adjacent one of said switch setsand another permanent magnet disposed'between said switch sets andadjacent the other of said switch sets,

. said eleotromagnet being disposed between said two permanent magnets,and

said plurality of reed switches being disposed in two sets parallel toand, spaced from said permanent magnets and electromagnet each at adifferent end of said pair of pole pieces, and with said pole pieces allbeing disposed in a single common plane.

9. The relay in accordance with claim 8, and

said core having remanent characteristics and providing remanent fluxblocking the shunting of the permanent magnet flux for magneticallylatching said switches when said coil means is deenergized while saidswitches are operated, and

said coil means being adapted for reverse energization for causing saidlatched switches to become unoperated.

1. In an electromagnetic reed relay adapted for low profile packaging, acombination comprising a pair of magnetic material means each spacedfrom the other, permanent magnet means magnetically coupled to said pairof magnetic material means and constantly providing flux in apredetermined direction, said permanent magnet means being a permanentmagnet with its poles at its ends which are each magnetically coupled toa different one of said pair of magnetic material means, electromagnetmeans magnetically coupled to said pair of magnetic material means andshort circuiting said permanent magnet meaNs in the absence of fluxopposing the shunting of the permanent magnet flux by the short circuit,said electromagnet means when energized providing flux in the samedirection as said permanent magnet means and which is sufficient tooppose the shunting of the permanent magnet flux, said electromagneticmeans comprising a pair of electromagnets each being disposed betweensaid permanent magnet and a different one of said sets of switches, eachof said electromagnets having a coil and a core of magnetic materialextending through said coil substantially parallel to said permanentmagnet, said cores each being magnetically coupled at each end to adifferent one of said pair of magnetic material means, said coils beingadapted for energization thereby polarizing said cores and providingflux substantially parallel to and in the same direction as the fluxprovided by said permanent magnet, magnetically operable switch meansincluding two sets of switches each being disposed at a different end ofsaid pair of magnetic material means, and said permanent magnet andelectromagnet means being disposed between said two sets of switches,each of said sets of switches including at least one reed switch with atleast two reed contact conductors magnetically coupled each to adifferent one of said pair of magnetic material means, and each of saidreed switches being unoperated when said permanent magnet means is shortcircuited, and operated by the total flux provided by said permanentmagnet and electromagnet means when the flux provided by saidelectromagnet means opposes the shunting of the flux provided by saidpermanent magnet means.
 2. The electromagnetic relay in accordance withclaim 1, and said coils being connected for simultaneous energization.3. In an electromagnetic reed relay adapted for low profile packaging, acombination comprising a pair of magnetic material means each spacedfrom the other, permanent magnet means magnetically coupled to said pairof magnetic material means and constantly providing flux in apredetermined direction, said permanent magnet means being a pair ofpermanent magnets each with its poles at its ends which are eachmagnetically coupled to a different one of said pair of magneticmaterial means, electromagnet means magnetically coupled to said pair ofmagnetic material means and short circuiting said permanent magnet meansin the absence of flux opposing the shunting of the permanent magnetflux by the short circuit, said electromagnet means when energizedproviding flux in the same direction as said permanent magnet means andwhich is sufficient to oppose the shunting of the permanent magnet flux,said electromagnetic means being disposed between said pair of permanentmagnets and comprising a coil and a core of magnetic material extendingthrough said coil substantially parallel to said permanent magnet, saidcore being magnetically coupled at each end to a different one of saidpair of magnetic material means, said coil being adapted forenergization thereby polarizing said core and providing fluxsubstantially parallel to and in the same direction as the flux providedby said permanent magnets, magnetically operable switch means includingtwo sets of switches each being disposed at a different end of said pairof magnetic material means, and said permanent magnet and electromagnetmeans being disposed between said two sets of switches, each of saidsets of switches including at least one reed switch with at least tworeed contact conductors magnetically coupled each to a different one ofsaid pair of magnetic material means, and each of said reed switchesbeing unoperated when said permanent magnet means is short circuited,and operated by the total flux provided by said permanent magnet andelectromagnet means when the flux provided by said electromagnet meansopposes the shunting of the flux provided by said permanent magnetmeans.
 4. In an electromagnetic reed relay adapted for low profilepackaging, a combination comprising a pair of magnetic material meanseach spaced from the other, permanent magnet means magnetically coupledto said pair of magnetic material means and constantly providing flux ina predetermined direction, said permanent magnet means being a permanentmagnet with its poles at its ends which are each magnetically coupled toa different one of said pair of magnetic material means, electromagnetmeans magnetically coupled to said pair of magnetic material means andshort circuiting said permanent magnet means in the absence of fluxopposing the shunting of the permanent magnet flux by the short circuit,said electromagnet means when energized providing flux in the samedirection as said permanent magnet means and which is sufficient tooppose the shunting of the permanent magnet flux, said electromagneticmeans comprising a pair of electromagnets each being disposed betweensaid permanent magnet and a different one of said sets of switches, eachof said electromagnets having coil means and a core of magnetic materialwith remanent characteristics extending through said coil meanssubstantially parallel to said permanent magnet, said cores each beingmagnetically coupled at each end to a different one of said pair ofmagnetic material means, said coil means being adapted for energizationthereby polarizing said cores and providing flux substantially parallelto and in the same direction as the flux provided by said permanentmagnet, and for reverse energization thereby reversing their polarizingeffect when said cores are providing remanent flux, magneticallyoperable switch means including at least one reed switch with at leasttwo reed contact conductors magnetically coupled each to a different oneof said pair of magnetic material means, each of said reed switchesbeing unoperated when said permanent magnet means is short circuited,and operated by the total flux provided by said permanent magnet andelectromagnet means when the flux provided by said electromagnet meansopposes the shunting of the flux provided by said permanent magnetmeans, said electromagnetic means upon deenergization when said switchesare operated providing a remanent flux sufficient to oppose the shuntingof the permanent magnet flux and with the permanent magnet flux tomagnetically latch said operated switches, and being adapted for reverseenergization to at least sufficiently reduce the remanent flux and uponde-energization to short circuit the permanent magnet means and permitsaid switches to again become unoperated, said switch means having twosets of switches each including at least one of said reed switches andbeing disposed at a different end of said pair of magnetic materialmeans, and said permanent magnet and electromagnet means being disposedbetween said two sets of switches.
 5. In an electromagnetic reed relayadapted for low profile packaging, a combination comprising a pair ofmagnetic material means each spaced from the other, permanent magnetmeans magnetically coupled to said pair of magnetic material means andconstantly providing flux in a predetermined direction, said permanentmagnet means being a pair of permanent magnets each with its poles atits ends which are each magnetically coupled to a different one of saidpair of magnetic material means, electromagnet means magneticallycoupled to said pair of magnetic material means and short circuitingsaid permanent magnet means in the absence of flux opposing the shuntingof the permanent magnet flux by the short circuit, said electromagnetmeans when energized providing flux in the same direction as saidpermanent magnet means and which is sufficient to oppose the shunting ofthe permanent magnet flux, said electromagnetic means being disposedbetween said pair of permanent magnets and comprising coil means and acore of mAgnetic material with remanent characteristics extendingthrough said coil means substantially parallel to said permanentmagnets, said core being magnetically coupled at each end to a differentone of said pair of magnetic material means, said coil means beingadapted for energization thereby polarizing said core and providing fluxsubstantially parallel to and in the same direction as the flux providedby said permanent magnets, and for reverse energization therebyreversing its polarizing effect when said core is providing remanentflux, magnetically operable switch means including at least one reedswitch with at least two reed contact conductors magnetically coupledeach to a different one of said pair of magnetic material means, each ofsaid reed switches being unoperated when said permanent magnet means isshort circuited, and operated by the total flux provided by saidpermanent magnet and electromagnet means when the flux provided by saidelectromagnet means opposes the shunting of the flux provided by saidpermanent magnet means, said electromagnetic means upon deenergizationwhen said switches are operated providing a remanent flux sufficient tooppose the shunting of the permanent magnet flux and with the permanentmagnet flux to magnetically latch said operated switches, and beingadapted for reverse energization to at least sufficiently reduce theremanent flux and upon de-energization to short circuit the permanentmagnet means and permit said switches to again become unoperated, saidswitch means having two sets of switches each including at least one ofsaid reed switches and being disposed at a different end of said pair ofmagnetic material means, and said permanent magnet and electromagnetmeans being disposed between said two sets of switches.
 6. In anelectromagnetic reed relay adapted for low profile packaging, acombination comprising a pair of pole pieces of magnetic material eachbeing parallel to and spaced from the other thereby forming a gaptherebetween, at least one permanent magnet disposed across the gap andhaving its ends providing opposite poles magnetically coupled to saidpole pieces and flux across the gap in a predetermined direction, atleast one electromagnet disposed across the gap, and having coil meansand a core of magnetic material extending through said coil meansparallel to said permanent magnet and being magnetically coupled at itsends to said pole pieces, said permanent magnet, core and pole piecesproviding a first flux path wherein said core shunts flux provided bysaid permanent magnet in the absence of flux opposing such shunting,said coil being adapted for energization thereby polarizing said core toprovide flux across the gap in the same direction as and opposing theshunting of the permanent magnet flux, a plurality of magneticallyoperable reed switches disposed parallel to and spaced from each otheracross the gap and being unoperated when the permanent magnet flux isbeing shunted, each of said reed switches having at least two reedcontact conductors each magnetically coupled to a different one of saidpole pieces, said permanent magnet and said core providing with saidpole pieces coupled to said switches a second flux path for permanentmagnet and electromagnet flux to operate said switches when the shuntingof the permanent magnet flux is opposed, said electromagnet beingdisposed adjacent one of said switch sets, and another electromagnetdisposed between said spaced switch sets and adjacent the other of saidswitch sets, said permanent magnet being disposed between said twoelectromagnets, and said plurality of reed switches being disposed intwo sets parallel to and spaced from said permanent magnet andelectromagnets each at a different end of said pair of pole pieces, andwith said pole pieces all being disposed in a single common plane. 7.The relay in accordance with claim 6, and said cores of Said twoelectromagnets having remanent characteristics and providing remanentflux blocking the shunting of the permanent magnet flux for magneticallylatching said switches when said coil means of said two electromagnetsare de-energized while said switches are operated, and said coil meansof said two electromagnets being adapted for reverse energization forcausing said latched switches to become unoperated.
 8. In anelectromagnetic reed relay adapted for low profile packaging, acombination comprising a pair of pole pieces of magnetic material eachbeing parallel to and spaced from the other thereby forming a gaptherebetween, at least one permanent magnet disposed across the gap andhaving its ends providing opposite poles magnetically coupled to saidpole pieces and flux across the gap in a predetermined direction, atleast one electromagnet disposed across the gap, and having coil meansand a core of magnetic material extending through said coil meansparallel to said permanent magnet and being magnetically coupled at itsends to said pole pieces, said permanent magnet, core and pole piecesproviding a first flux path wherein said core shunts flux provided bysaid permanent magnet in the absence of flux opposing such shunting,said coil being adapted for energization thereby polarizing said core toprovide flux across the gap in the same direction as and opposing theshunting of the permanent magnet flux, a plurality of magneticallyoperable reed switches disposed parallel to and spaced from each otheracross the gap and being unoperated when the permanent magnet flux isbeing shunted, each of said reed switches having at least two reedcontact conductors each magnetically coupled to a different one of saidpole pieces, said permanent magnet and said core providing with saidpole pieces coupled to said switches a second flux path for permanentmagnet and electromagnet flux to operate said switches when the shuntingof the permanent magnet flux is opposed, said permanent magnet beingdisposed adjacent one of said switch sets and another permanent magnetdisposed between said switch sets and adjacent the other of said switchsets, said electromagnet being disposed between said two permanentmagnets, and said plurality of reed switches being disposed in two setsparallel to and spaced from said permanent magnets and electromagneteach at a different end of said pair of pole pieces, and with said polepieces all being disposed in a single common plane.
 9. The relay inaccordance with claim 8, and said core having remanent characteristicsand providing remanent flux blocking the shunting of the permanentmagnet flux for magnetically latching said switches when said coil meansis de-energized while said switches are operated, and said coil meansbeing adapted for reverse energization for causing said latched switchesto become unoperated.